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Odds To Win NL Pennant: Philadelphia Phillies +200

The Philadelphia Phillies are enjoying their best span in franchise history, including three straight National League East titles and back-to-back trips to the World Series. Manager Charlie Manuel promised his Phillies would be back in the championship game for a third straight year after 2009’s loss to the New York Yankees, and after trading for Roy Halladay in the off-season, that assertion isn’t unlikely.

However it may be a tough task for Philadelphia to capture the National League Pennant playing in a tough NL East division. The New York Mets continued to improve on paper over the winter, and eventually those additions have to pay off.

The Atlanta Braves will battle to make the division a three-team race, while Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals may have the easier path in the pennant race.

National League Pennant Betting: The Favorites

Although the St. Louis Cardinals flamed out in last season’s playoffs, the trio of NL MVP Albert Pujols, and NL Cy Young Award candidates Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright form a solid nucleus for regular season success.

A full season from Matt Holliday and the presence of Colby Rasmus, who led the Cardinals with a .444 average and three doubles as a rookie in last year’s NLDS, make St. Louis a favorite to contend for the NL Pennant.

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Los Angeles will need starter Chad Billingsley to return to his early season form from 2009 in order to overcome the loss of Randy Wolf, but a full season in a contract year for Manny Ramirez should lead an offense that will make the Dodgers a contender.

National League Pennant Betting: The Sleepers

After consecutive stretch run meltdowns in 2007 and 2008, the New York Mets didn’t have a chance for redemption in 2009. Misfortune doomed the Mets in their debut season at Citi Field, as injuries ravaged the roster from top to bottom, and they managed just 70 wins.

A stacked offense returns healthy in 2010, with the addition of Jason Bay in the cleanup spot. Johan Santana should return to form after making just 25 starts in 2009, and Francisco Rodriguez is the best closer in the majors. The Colorado Rockies have a solid young team and could surprise, but are likely still at least a year away from competing for the NL pennant.

National League Pennant Betting: Winner

The St. Louis Cardinals will win the National League Pennant in 2010. The addition of center fielder Colby Rasmus to the order on a full-time basis, and the return to health of third basemen David Freese will solidify an offense that already features NL MVP Albert Pujols and the powerful hitting Matt Holliday at the heart of the order.

Factor in the addition of Brad Penny to a pitching staff that already boasts a pair of Cy Young candidates in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, and a lack of top competition in the NL Central, and the Cardinals will finish with the best record in the National League.

Winner: St. Louis Cardinals +450 > JOIN TO BET <

Odds To Win AL Pennant: Yankees +160

The New York Yankees retook their spot at the top of Major League Baseball in 2009, beating the Philadelphia Phillies in six games to win the World Series.

Although the Yankees struggled against the rival Boston Red Sox early in the regular season, the pinstripes put together an outstanding stretch to finish first in the American League with 103 wins, before rolling through Minnesota and Anaheim in the postseason, and completing the decade with a second World Series title.

The Red Sox, Angels, and Twins underwent changes over the winter in an effort to challenge the Yankees for AL supremacy. Only time will tell if any team has what it takes to knock New York out of the top spot.

American League Pennant Betting: The Favorites

The Yankees will once again be the team to beat in 2010. After winning their first World Series since 2000, general manager Brian Cashman may have actually improved the New York roster in the off-season. Cashman traded for starter Javier Vasquez in December, solidifying a top-three that includes CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Vasquez, all of whom are on the six-pitcher list to throw a minimum 900 strikeouts and 900 innings in the last five years.

He also added outfielder Curtis Granderson to give the Yankees a left-handed hitter that brings speed and improved defense. The Red Sox boast arguably the best starting pitching rotation in the majors after signing John Lackey, but there are questions on offense after losing Jason Bay.

The Angels lost Lackey at the top of the rotation, as well as Chone Figgins at the top and Vladimir Guerrero at the heart, of the order.

American League Pennant Betting: The Sleepers

Although Minnesota has the offense to compete, no team has repeated in the AL Central since 2005. That makes the Chicago White Sox an excellent sleeper choice heading into 2010. Chicago added NL Cy Young award winner Jake Peavy to a rotation that put together the second-lowest ERA by starters in the AL in 2009.

Should Carlos Quentin be able to bounce back from the injuries that plagued him in 2009, and addition JJ Putz revert back to his form with the Mariners after a disastrous season with the Mets, the White Sox could be a sleeper in 2010. Seattle added Cliff Lee to team with Felix Hernandez for tandem at the top of the rotation.

If Milton Bradley can play to his potential behind Ichiro and newcomer Chone Figgins at the top of the order, the Mariners will surprise in 2010.

American League Pennant Betting: The Winner

The New York Yankees will repeat as American League pennant winners in 2010. The addition of Vasquez to the rotation will allow Joba Chamberlain to move to the bullpen full-time, a role he is much better suited for.

Chamberlain can also sub in for Andy Pettitte for a few starts to keep the latter fresh throughout the regular season. Brett Gardner is the fastest player to wear the pinstripes in years, and along with Granderson will upgrade New York’s outfield defense. Mark Teixera, Alex Rodriguez, and Jorge Posada return at the heart of the order.

Winner: New York Yankees +160 > SIGN UP HERE <

Odds to win World Series: New York Yankees +275

The New York Yankees returned to the top of the baseball world in 2009, beating the Philadelphia Phillies in six games to clinch their second World Series of the decade, and 27th overall. Both the Yankees and Phillies made moves in the off-season to improve their respective clubs, and help hold off the squads that will challenge them for a chance at baseball’s top prize in 2010. The Boston Red Sox, Anaheim Angels, and Minnesota Twins will once again battle the Yankees for a chance to represent the American League. The Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and New York Mets are among the favorites to challenge the Phillies in the National League, for a chance to contend for baseball supremacy.

MLB World Series Betting: The Favorites

The New York Yankees are heavy favorites to repeat as World Series champions heading into the 2010 season. The additions of starting pitcher Javier Vasquez to a pitching staff that already features names like CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Mariano Riviera is a big reason why. Newcomer Curtis Granderson helps shore up the defense in the outfield, and adds a speedy left-hander to an order that already boasts Derek Jeter, Mark Teixera, and Alex Rodriguez. Last year’s National League champions, the Philadelphia Phillies added former AL Cy Young award winner Roy Halladay in hopes that a third trip to the World Series is on the horizon. The St. Louis Cardinals look to rebound after flaming out in last year’s NLDS.

MLB World Series Betting: The Sleepers

Despite the loss of Jason Bay to the Mets in the off-season, the Boston Red Sox have a roster rife with talent. The addition of starting pitcher John Lackey to a staff already featuring Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, and Daisuke Matsuzaka gives Boston perhaps the strongest and deepest rotations in baseball. If the Red Sox can add a bat during the season, they could lose their sleeper status and become a favorite. The St. Louis Cardinals boast a pair of Cy Young candidates in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, with NL MVP Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday at the heart of the order. The Seattle Mariners could be a true sleeper if the additions of Cliff Lee and Chone Figgins can perform.

MLB World Series Betting: The Winner

The New York Yankees will win their 28th World Series title in 2010. New York was the first team to win baseball’s championships while using three starters since the Minnesota Twins did it in 1991, and they added a proven commodity in Javier Vasquez, while Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain matured one year. Although the Phillies added Roy Halliday, there are question marks about how much that changes things after they lost Cliff Lee. The Red Sox have the deepest rotation in the big leagues but lack the offensive depth to compete with New York. The Cardinals could challenge the Phillies atop the NL, and may be prove to be the toughest match up for the Yankees if they could reach the big game.

Winner: New York Yankees +275